Auto Ordnance Thompson Semi

[gunner336]

Anyone know where to get Calif bullet button for one of these or how to convert one to Cali legal

[tmh1]

You can get a bullet button here (great vendor, BTW):

http://www.goldenstatetactical.com/1927-Thompson-A1-A3-45-Rifle-Bullet-Button-p/gstbbthomp.htm

10 round stick mags are available, but if the gun you want comes with the long stick mag, then you can get a 10/30 magazine block here (another great vendor):

http://www.magazineblocks.com/magento/thompson-45-magblock-10-round-limiter.html

Then you will need to have it "fixed" by a CA FFL with an 07 and a large capacity magazine license. Or use an out-of-state middleman FFL (like Calgun's Audiophil2) to install the BB and block the mag before shipping it to your local FFL in its CA legal configuration. Another option (the one I used) is to purchase from an OOS vendor who will install the BB and mag block for you before shipping to your local FFL. Lanbo's Armory did this for me for free when I bought the gun through them.

I bought the one I did (Commando Model) since it could use stick or drum mags, and they do sell a 10 round limited drum mag. I bought one here:

http://grabagun.com/kahr-arms-t12bkt-mag-45acp-10rd-drum.html

However with the BB installed it interfered with the drum mag, which prevented its use. So, since the guns meet the minimum overall length requirement, don't have adjustable stocks and come with Cutts Compensator (or no muzzle device at all), their only CA evil feature is the pistol grip. Using a home-made grip wrap allowed me to turn my Thompson into a featureless rifle, which allowed me to legally remove the BB. NOTE: If you are getting one with the vertical foregrip, then this may no longer be featureless, and you may not be able to remove the BB.

Here's mine, and what a fun gun it is to shoot:

[lgm118icbm]

They are nice shooters but the bullet button makes it almost not worth it IMO. It becomes very awkward to load / use. Much worse than an AR.

[ronlglock]

They are nice shooters but the bullet button makes it almost not worth it IMO. It becomes very awkward to load / use. Much worse than an AR.

The drum magazine requires a small metal tool to remove it, while the stick mag does not. So I wonder if only using drums would make it compliant without a BB?

I got mine with BB pre-installed from http://www.lanworldinc.com. The BB is actually a plastic guard that prevents you from accessing the mag release without a tool.

[tmh1]

They are nice shooters but the bullet button makes it almost not worth it IMO. It becomes very awkward to load / use. Much worse than an AR.

Agreed - The bullet button configuration which is required for an AO Thompson is much more of a PITA than a normal AR15 BB. You actually have to push the release lever (through the slot in the BB) up (towards the barrel) instead of a simple push in.

However even if you could not go to featureless on the model you buy, and would have to stay with the moronic CA required BB configuration, the gun is so much fun to shoot that I would still get one. Just my humble opinion.

[tmh1]

The drum magazine requires a small metal tool to remove it, while the stick mag does not. So I wonder if only using drums would make it compliant without a BB?

You would still need a BB even if only using drum mags. To insert or remove the drum mag you have to have the bolt fully open. The little metal tool that you get with the drum mag only serves to let you lock the bolt back (as you can't access the bolt lock with your fingers with the drum mag in place). BUT if you just held the bold back with your strong hand you could feasibly still release and remove the drum, even without the little tool.

So it would NOT be a legal, BB-less configuration "if only using drum mags". This is not how the law in CA is written. Since stick magazines are available and the drum magazine is not actually "locked" in place, you would still need to go featureless... or keep the BB.

[The Gleam]

My retro "1930s" gear; a trio of modern remakes of timeless classics, but all currently made with care, craftsmanship, and quality on par with the originals.

(Of course, only the Martin is still made by the same company that made it nearly 85 years ago.)

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Here's mine, and what a fun gun it is to shoot:

That looks awesome. Featureless is the only way to fly in these parts.

[CK_32]

I've always wanted a Thompson but could never feel the semi auto thing. These were made for and about spray and pray. Plinking 1 by 1 on these kills the entire point/interest for me.


If I could get one if F/A I'd have like 12. Now that sounds like fun.

[The Gleam]

I've always wanted a Thompson but could never feel the semi auto thing. These were made for and about spray and pray. Plinking 1 by 1 on these kills the entire point/interest for me.

If I could get one if F/A I'd have like 12. Now that sounds like fun.

I get that, but the same could be said for most any pistol-caliber based carbines now days, whether it's something retro or modern. The HK USC, UZI Carbines, FN P90, KRISS Vector/Super V, SP-89s or MP5 Clones, TEC-DC9, MAC-10 clones, Suomi, PPSh-41 and PPS-43, Steyr SPP, M1-Carbines, even many AR-15s.

If you include rifle-caliber based carbines and rifles, you may as well include just about every single popular rifle in that crowd above.

The thing that makes the current Thompson so amazing it that it's built like a tank, solid, and the receiver, all parts, furniture, and equal to or better than the originals. These things are some of the closest to the original retro-guns ever made.

No regrets in getting one, and next year I plan on getting the drum-mag version even if neutered to 10-rounds and with a BB. I won't live in CA forever, and best to get it now while we can (on a Federal level).

I truly think Republicans will again screw the pooch on the next election with a lame, weak RINO offering, and if Obama doesn't pursue a Federal ban on certain semi-auto guns and/or mag-limits in the next 2 years, his Dem President follow up surely will (Hillary?).

[tmh1]

The thing that makes the current Thompson so amazing it that it's built like a tank, solid, and the receiver, all parts, furniture, and equal to or better than the originals. These things are some of the closest to the original retro-guns ever made.

No regrets in getting one, and next year I plan on getting the drum-mag version even if neutered to 10-rounds and with a BB. I won't live in CA forever, and best to get it now while we can (on a Federal level).

Yeah, it is a shame that these have to be double-neutered to be easily legal in CA (BB/Grip Wrap and 10 round limited mag), but with that drum mag - Dayum!

And did I mention that these are a BLAST to shoot? And really easy shooting (as long as you can heft it up into shooting position - these things are HEAVY. But get the heavy one - apparently the lightweight versions don't hold up nearly as well. At least according to the interwebs).

Word of warning: If you want a quiet and peaceful day shooting by yourself at the range, DON'T bring your Thompson out

[Root66]

That looks awesome. Featureless is the only way to fly in these parts.

I was thinking the exact opposite....hideous !!!!!!!

[henry187oc]

Hey guys

Im still a little confused...

i recently bought my tommy gun (still waiting for the pick up)

so if the gun comes with the Bullet Button, Can i legally keep the Pistol Grip and forearm grip here in Cali?

also, anyone have any instructions or video on how that BB works that comes on the Thompson? Thanks!